ABDICATION

abdication, stepping down

(noun) the act of abdicating

abdication, stepping down

(noun) a formal resignation and renunciation of powers

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

abdication (countable and uncountable, plural abdications)

(obsolete) The act of disowning or disinheriting a child. [Attested from the mid 16^th century until the mid 17^th century.]

The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder. [First attested in the early 17^th century.]

The voluntary renunciation of sovereign power[First attested in the late 17^th century.]

(obsolete, legal) The renunciation of interest in a property or a legal claim; abandonment. [Attested only in the mid 18^th century.]

(obsolete) The action of being deposed from the seat of power. [Attested only in the mid 17^th century.]

Source: Wiktionary

Ab`di*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. abdicatio: cf. F. abdication.]

Definition: The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder; commonly the voluntary renunciation of sovereign power; as, abdication of the throne, government, power, authority.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition